Newport rugby legend receives a blast from the past

Dennis Perrott, 81, who lives in Newbridge, played on the wing during Newport’s famous 3-0 victory over the All-Blacks. The game went down as one of the greatest triumphs in the history of the side.

On Wednesday, October 30, 1963, a New Zealand side featuring the likes of Wilson Whineray, Colin Meads and Don Clarke fell to the relatively out-of-form Black and Ambers amid the wind and driving rain of Rodney Parade.

A piece of history from that fixture has since resurfaced and come back into Mr Perrott’s life.

As previously reported in the South Wales Argus, a menu from the post-match meal was recently discovered inside a book by Vic Smith, from St Julians. He took it to Timpson shoe repairer shop manager Kelvin Reddicliffe, an avid rugby fan who aimed to sell the piece to raise money for St David’s Hospice Care.

Interest in the menu was not hard to come by and it soon sold, fetching a total of £375 for the charity.

Unbeknownst to Mr Perrott, who had himself visited the city centre shoe repair centre to see the menu, the buyer was none other than his daughter Sarah.

Miss Perrott, who teaches Year 6 at Thornwell School in Chepstow, said: “Sitting at home one Saturday evening, I was sent link to an eBay page selling a rare piece of memorabilia from the Newport v New Zealand rugby game in 1963.

“We could quite clearly see that the proceeds of the sale would go to the very worthy cause of St David's Hospice Care - we didn't really think twice about tapping the 'Buy now' icon.

“It would be another piece to add to our family's collection of memorabilia from the game.

Miss Perrot added that she had previously seen the story in the Argus about the menu which “created great interest for us - in fact, my dad had three copies of the Argus posted through his door, bringing the article to his attention.”

Mr Perrott explained that he had been contacted by his daughter and told that she had a surprise for him.

“I wasn’t told what it was,” he said. “I nearly fell off my chair when I was told.”

He went on to say that the Newport squad were all presented with a similar menu after the game but that he had used his for various scrapbooks over the years.

“The menu makes a super addition to our collection,” said Miss Perrott.

“We already have signed copies of the match day programme, the actual jersey Dad played in during the match as well as an All Black jersey, an engraved cigarette lighter and of course, a blazer and tie - just to name a few.”

Mr Perrott and his daughter went on to express their gratitude that the money would be going to St David’s Hospice Care.

“Some of our close friends have been cared for at the hospice,” said Miss Perrott.

“We recognise the importance of the continued support the hospice requires.”

Mr Perrott added: “They do such fabulous work.”

Wales international and Cardiff wing, Adrian Hadley, deputy chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care presented the historic menu to Dennis at the charity’s headquarters in Malpas, Newport.

Adrian said: “I was very pleased to meet Dennis and his daughter Sarah and to hand over the unique memento from the famous victory back in 1963.”